How to pronounce belly
Say it like BEL-ee. Belly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce belly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BEL
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Belly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of belly
American and British speakers say belly in essentially the same way: /ˈbɛli/ in the US and /ˈbɛli/ in the UK.
British respelling: BEL-ee.
What does belly mean?
- the region of the body of a vertebrate between the thorax and the pelvis
- a protruding abdomen
- a part that bulges deeply“the belly of a sail”
- swell out or bulge out
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with belly
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of belly.
Questions about saying belly
How do you pronounce belly?
Say BEL-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɛli/. In British English it is /ˈbɛli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in belly?
Belly has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BEL). Broken into parts: BEL · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say belly the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbɛli/ and the British form is /ˈbɛli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.